Bringing In May

I had the privilege of working in my yard several days last week.  I love to work when it is sprinkling!!! I love the smell, the feel, the temperature...the whole package.  Yes I am the crazy woman working outside in the rain.  Yesterday I got to work 11 hours non-stop.  Oh HAPPY DAY!  By 11:00 PM I was feeling it.  What kind of house doesn't have Ibuoprofen in it?  Those houses that the owners sell it to earn their living!!!  In one of my trips to greenhouses I saw this adorable basket planted with flowers.  Nearby was a sign that said "to bring in May." I bought one for myself, and almost bought several for others.  When checking out, I heard several people around me say things like, "oh look at that for May Day....Isn't that cute for May?"  I loaded my wonderful goodies up and on the way home it hit me.  Is this basket a May Day thing?  Today, May 1st, I googled and found out the answer.  Below is a very brief description describing what I inadvertently took part in (but for myself!).

Gathering flowers and branches became a tradition and "bringing in the May" became a popular activity on May 1. The giving of baskets became part of the festivities later in the evolution of May Day. Today baskets are often made by little children, filled with candy or flowers and then placed on people's doorsteps or tied to the door handle, as they ring the doorbell and dash away before they are caught. You can participate in this activity yourself by making a special May Day basket or using any small basket to fill with flowers to give to a friend.

OH MY GOSH!  This is soooo up my alley!  I love flowers, I love giving gifts, I love to surprise others & I love a kind prank!  I wish I would have become educated a little sooner than on May Day.  My boys and I are so celebrating May Day next year.  I can't wait!  

One of my favorite things is decorating my front doors.  I love to try new hanging objects and of course wreaths.  My favorite thing are these long baskets I purchased when we were almost done building our house over 7 years ago.  They remain my favorite thing.  I usually have someone else arrange flowers in them, but this year I did it myself.  Flower arranging is not the best thing I do.  I chose something very simple and I thing the perfect contrasting colors to welcome guests and my friends of my garden.  The flying friends will be disappointed this year as I am not sure what they will pick apart to build their nests with!

I made some wreaths for my wedding.  On occasion I hang them, but I am a bit protective of them as they are a memory of a very special day to me.  I helped make this W for my little sisters wedding.  I thought it was gorgeous and adorned the chimney of my parents backyard where the wedding took place beautifully.   Both the Watsons & Wallingfords had fun taking pictures in front of it.

 I also have a dear friend who is soon to get married this summer who chose lime green, white, orange & zebra for her colors.  My gift to her were these wreaths....

I love making all things pretty.  Whether it is a front door, a wedding, a house, a hat or a smile.  All things pretty make me very happy.